Coast Guard Overseeing Static Kill Preparations

New Orleans, La. – Heavy mud will be pumped slowly into the well early this week. The process called a static kill would stop if the pressure gets too high. But Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen says he's confident the well can handle the strain.

"That could result in us filling the entire well up, bringing the pressure to zero. And if that's the case, then we've taken away about half the job that we will need to do from the bottom."

It's similar to a failed attempt made in May when oil was gushing from the well. Since then, a containment cap has been holding back the spill. If the static kill works, the final steps involve pumping more mud into the well from the bottom. A relief well is nearly finished, which will also pump cement into the well as the ultimate fix.For NPR News, I'm Eileen Fleming in New Orleans.